September 11, 2018

I’m sure that everyone at some point in their pet’s life have heard that human food is not good for your them. Though there are certain spices and foods that you should avoid, not all human food is actually bad for your pet companion!

Think about it this way, your cat and your dog, they eat foods that are enriched with chicken, turkey, beef, etc. Well aren’t those all foods that we as humans eat? Have you ever taken a look in your pet’s wet food and noticed veggies? How about looking at the back of the food bag and reading the ingredients. I bet that you will find some familiar foods, some of which might be some of your favorites!

Not only do your dogs and cats have a wide variety with in their food, so do some of the not so average pets such as pigs, birds and lizards to name a few. Just like Humans our companions also have quote the varying palette.

Lizards, dogs and birds are predominately carnivorous , but it doesn’t mean that they won’t eat those healthy fruits and veggies. For example Apples are a great snack ( sans the seeds ) for your furry AND scaly friends in moderation. They are high in fiber and low in fat making for a yummy change up for the pets that you love. Another fruit that is has a dual purpose is watermelon. Not only is this good for your pet but it will also help keep them hydrated seeing as it is mostly water based. Watermelon is packed with vitamins that help with muscle and nerve function.

Lets not leave those veggies out either! Carrots are a favorite of dogs, lizards and birds because of the crunch that comes with it. They also promote great eye and skin health. Sweet potato is a base that is used in several brands of treats, but can easily just be cut up and fed to your pet raw. This is also a nutrient rich treat, and much healthier than white potato.

Here are a list of safe fruits and veggies that you can give your pets in moderation:

Spinach Green Beans Pumpkin Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Apricot

Cabbage Carrots Cucumber Celery Apple Mango

Banana Blueberries Raspberries Pear Cantaloupe Watermelon

Here is a list that you should try and avoid:

Cherries Grapes Raisins Lime Lemon Grapefruit

Persimmons Onion Garlic Rhubarb Mushrooms

When it comes to meat, you can never go wrong with added protein as a treat, or as an addition to meals every once in a while. What you want to look out for here is seasoning. You should never give your pet meat that has been seasoned. Most seasonings have adverse effects that could cause long term damage when ingested, so make sure you are paying attention! A great treat for any type of pet would actually be eggs! This is a tasty treat that has great benefits for your furry ( or scaly ) friends skin. This is generally something that you would not give your bird.

So next time you go to grab yourself a snack or cook dinner, go ahead and look what you are making and maybe surprise your pet with a new treat!

June 26, 2015

Dogs are well capable of reading a humans face. Dogs have a higher body temperature (ranging between 101F and 103F). They are prone to cancer just as humans.

For that reason, it is crucial that you understand all that there is to know about their bodies. Feeding the dog plenty of chocolate could expose it to toxic substances (such as theobromine) that could be fatal, especially if the canine eats between 100mg and 150mg of the substance.

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms have the capacity of causing damages to the dog’s ears. During thunderstorms, you will notice the dog showing plenty of fear. The fear and apprehension that the dog shows could be indicative of the incredible amounts of pain it feels.

Sweaty Paws

If you want to check if the dog has a very high body temperature, one of the ways of doing this would be through its paws. When the dog experiences high body temperatures, it will sweat a lot through its paws, unlike humans who do this via the skin.

Bad Breath

A dog with bad breath is probably carrying a periodontal disease. Therefore, learn to smell the dog’s breath, as a way of checking whether it is sick.

Other Signs

Other signs that you should always check for on the dog’s body to determine whether it is sick and in need of medical attention include the following:

Bleeding gums

Brownish discharge from the ears

Lumps

Coughing

Diarrhea

Hair loss

Shaking of the head

Inflamed ears

Irritated skin

Lethargy

Lameness

Pale gums and tongue

Stiff movement

Smelly ears

Dramatic Weight loss

Watery eyes

Scratching

Potbelly

The good news is that you can take proactive measures to ensure the dog receives proper medical attention if he/she develops any of the aforementioned signs.